Pears have a flavor that ranges from tangy to sweet to spicy, and a texture that can be crisp, buttery, or in between. Many varieties exist, with intriguing differences in shape and color.
Anjou pears have a rounded shape and yellow-green skin. There's also a red variety. Because of their tangy flavor and firm texture, D'Anjou pears are another good choice for pies, tarts, chutneys, compotes, and poaching. Anjou pears appear in the fall and are available through the spring.
Bartlett pears are one of the most common varieties. They turn from green to yellow when ripe; a red variety is grown, too. A Bartlett's juicy sweetness and buttery texture makes it a delicious pear for eating fresh. Bartletts are summer pears; they first appear in August and are available through January.
Bosc pears have matte, bronze-toned skin; a long, sloping neck; and a firm, crunchy texture. Their nutty-sweet flavor and crisp texture makes them a good choice for pies, tarts, chutneys, compotes, and poaching. Boscs are a fall-winter pear. They first appear in September and are available through April.
Comice pears are prized as an eating pear because of their buttery texture and flavor. They have yellow-green freckled skin, often tinged with a blush of red, and a squat, round shape. Comice pears are a great addition to a cheese course and taste especially good with soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, and with blue cheeses like Stilton, Maytag, and Roquefort. Comice pears appear in the fall and are available until spring.
Though pears are considered a fall fruit, they are available starting in the summer, through the fall and into the spring. Pears are one of the few fruits that are best to buy firm and then let ripen at home. The skin varies in color and texturally from matte to glossy, depending on the variety, but always look for smooth, unbruised, firm fruits. If the pear feels soft at the stem end, choose another, unless you're prepared to eat it right away. Handle pears gently when carrying them home; even very firm ones can blemish and bruise easily in transit.
To ripen pears quickly, store them loosely at room temperature in a brown paper bag so that air can circulate between the fruits. A ripe pear should give slightly when pressed in the neck area. Store ripe pears loose in the refrigerator (never sealed in plastic), where they'll keep for three to five days.
Pears are rich in fiber; eating them regularly can aid digestion and may improve heart health.